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Simona Halep sharply lashed out at the anti-doping authorities on Wednesday evening. The Romanian tennis star has been suspended for eight months for a violation of the doping rules, but complains that her file is being delayed.
Raf HermansBron: BELGIAN
Halep tested positive for the banned product roxadustat during the US Open last August and has been serving a provisional suspension since October 7. The 31-year-old Romanian, winner of Roland Garros (2018) and Wimbledon (2019), blames the positive test on a contaminated dietary supplement and has been crying out her innocence for months. But much to her frustration, no date has been set for a hearing.
Taking to social media, Halep says the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has postponed her case for the third time for the period of one month. “I have been waiting since October to be tried. As per the rules, I have requested a speedy hearing. This is my right, it’s in the rules!”
Halep already missed the Australian Open due to the affair and also has to make a cross over Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She has dropped to 34th place in the ranking. “They not only kill my reputation, but also me as a professional player. And then I’m not even talking about the consequences for my mental health,” Halep continues. “The contempt of the ITF (ITIA) for the speedy hearing to which I am entitled is so disrespectful that it leaves me speechless.”
Last week it was announced that Halep had ended up in a second doping case, this time because of deviating values in her biological passport.
